“If you keep looking at me like that, Ella, I’ll take it as an invitation.” I glance at her in the mirror. Her eyes widen even further, her mouth forms an O and her chest rises and falls quicker.
“It’s not an invitation.”
I look away before I grin at her blatant disregard for my authority. She grows angrier.
“That temper of yours is going to get you into trouble.”
This time when I look at her, she’s back to staring out the window.
We arrived at the clinic. They have a room set up and are waiting for us.
Doctor Paige greets us at the door. “Mr. O’ Faolain, Right in here.”
I glance at Ella who’s standing rod straight.
“Ladies first.” I offer with an outstretched hand. For a moment she looks like she might attack me as she inhales a sharp breath. She snaps her head forward and marches into the room. Her shoulders slump forward as I close the door behind us. She glances over her shoulder and when her eyes meet mine, some of that fire is gone. Her eyes darken as she looks away.
Doctor Paige glances at me over the rim of his thick glasses. “Are you staying for the examination, Mr. O’ Faolain?” The question is delivered with a sense of disbelief.
“Yes. Proceed.” I flick a hand at Ella and Doctor Paige looks at her, his eyes softening around the edges.
“Okay Ella, you want to pop up on the bed.”
Her whole body is screaming no. I lean against the wall. She glances at me, and I hope she is starting to understand her place in this situation. I wasn’t leaving.
Her chest is flushed as she stares at me, fighting with some internal battle. One I would squash for her.
“I don’t have all day.”
That seems to settle her internal debate. Whatever she wanted to say is gone, as she climbs up on the bed. I do notice her tightened fists.
“You need to relax.” Doctor Paige’s voice is gentle and he smiles at her. I can see Ella’s body visibly relaxing.
“You need to do your job, Doctor Paige. I have other things to do today.” I bite the words out and both of them stiffen.
No one speaks and as Doctor Paige gets ready to do his examination, I focus on the photos on his desk. His wife and three kids are smiling up at the camera that no doubt he is behind. Ella exhales loudly.
“It will be uncomfortable for a few more minutes.” Doctor Paige reassures her.
“That’s okay. I remember.” She sounds so vulnerable. Like she didn’t back herself into this corner. Like she didn’t put herself in front of me and ask for my attention.
I grit my teeth. Well, she had my attention now whether she wanted it or not. I keep focusing on everything but Ella. A part of me can’t take that bit of privacy away from her. Me being in the room is a large enough statement.
A calendar on the wall has the seventh of April circled in pink marker. I wonder if it is a birthday. Maybe one of his smiling daughters did it.
Ella hisses again.
“We are nearly finished.” Doctor Paige is using that soft voice again. Trying to reassure Ella.
“Okay. All done. Just lie there for a few minutes.”
I wait until Doctor Paige leaves Ella before glancing at her. She’s staring at the ceiling. Her clothes back in place. Her legs firmly closed. She’s beautiful. Her face is youthful and innocent, that is until she looks at me.
I grin. Her eyes show everything. Right now they shine with hate and I’m happy to see it. I push off the wall and walk to her, each step that I get closer I can see her body tense, but she doesn’t look away from me.
“I hope your results are the same as before.” I warn, knowing they are.
Her jaw clenches and I wonder again where this fire comes from in her. How do I put it out? What fuels it?
Fascinating.
I lean in closer and watch her pulse flicker in her neck. “Your eyes give away what you feel, Ella.”
Her pulse jumps and her eyes flutter closed, cutting me off from those stunning green eyes.
I don’t move away. She smells of soap.
“She is still a virgin Mr. O’ Faolain.”
Doctor Paige stands behind me and I lean out from Ella. Her eyes snap up to me and she looks smug with her results.
“I know,” I answer, watching her eyes widen. The anger returns and I know I’ve driven my point home.
Once again Ella doesn’t speak as I drive us back to the house. Even when I glance at her in the rear-view mirror she doesn’t look up.
When we arrive into the house, three of the other girls are lounging in the hall. No doubt they saw us arrive, now they are pretending like they were having a chat in the hall. All eyes are on me, a mix of lust and fear. It’s what I’m used to.
When I look at Ella, she stares at me with her head held high.
So defiant.
The girls are waiting and watching to see what will happen. I could embarrass her.
I lean in and lower my voice but make sure it’s loud enough so the other girls can hear.
“I enjoyed myself. I hope you did too.” I brush my lips against her cheek and when I lean out, I’m expecting anger to burn in her eyes. Instead, they swim in a mist that she is fighting not to let out.
“Can I go to my room?” She’s holding back the emotions that I have no doubt will spill within the next second.
I could let her cry here in front of everyone. The girls are still watching, their tongues will soon be wagging.
I nod my head and she’s past me in a blur of green. I take a quick look as she flees up the stairs. I stare at the other three who still stand in the hall.
One of them starts to smile at me. I walk past the blond and make my way outside. I still needed to check the maze.
This time when I enter the garden I don’t encounter anyone. I still stall at the mouth of the maze. My fingers sizzle and I tighten my fists. Once I take my first step, that fear that wants to grow, disappears. I know this maze. I focus on the ground as I walk, looking for traces of turned soil. I find nothing. Time passes quickly in the maze and when I emerge, the skies have darkened.
Checking my watch, it’s close to eight. I need to get for the meeting.
There are only four of us today. All are seated and talking. When I enter, the chatter ceases.
I take the seat, leaving one empty either side of me.
Aine is the first to greet me as usual. “Master Lucas.” Her high cheekbones and small chin have had too much work. At first it’s hard to think why she looks so formidable. The more you take her in, the more work you see. Her nose looks thinner today. It could be more work or a trick of the light.
“Aine.” Her white shirt has more ruffles on it then I can count.
“Brendan, Cathal, Sean.” I welcome each member. They are all a lot older than me. Cathal and Brendan didn’t like that I was in charge, but Sean didn’t seem to mind.
“What happened to Declan?” Brendan speaks with pursed lips.
I don’t answer.
“Master Lucas.” He adds begrudgingly.
“We are still looking into the cause of his death, but I’m sure you have all heard that he lost a finger during the electrocution.” I know father won’t approve of me lying to the members, but to me, any of them could be guilty. I need to be careful yet convincing with my words.
“The moment I find out more, I will promptly let you know.”